'Perils of the road': Spirit Ride pays tribute to first responders killed along the side of the road

Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

Wednesday

Aug 29, 2018 at 4:26 PMAug 29, 2018 at 4:26 PM

HESPERIA — “Slow down, move over.”

That was the message delivered to local drivers as the cross-country Spirit Ride processional came through town Wednesday.

Dubbed “America's Traveling Memorial Day for First Responders,” the event at Civic Plaza Park in Hesperia included a “Spirit Ceremonial Casket” that pays tribute to first responders who were killed while working along the side of the road.

With the words “The Law: Slow Down, Move Over” emblazoned on its side, the patriotic-themed casket was center stage as tow truck drivers, community leaders, residents and members of the California Highway Patrol paid their respects to the fallen.

The casket was adorned with artwork depicting first responders as they face various "perils of the road,” organizers said.

During the ceremony, a blessing was spoken, a moment of silence was observed, a ceremonial baton was passed and organizer David Corbin sang a tribute.

Due to the high number of tow truck drivers killed while on duty, the casket is making its cross-country procession via multiple towing companies, such as Kelley’s Towing & Recovery in Hesperia, which received the casket on Tuesday.

“I’ve been preaching on first responder safety for over 20 years,” said owner Chris Kelley. “Anything to raise awareness that people need to slow down and move over when someone is receiving assistance on the road.”

Founded by American Towman Magazine and B/A Products, the mission of the Spirit Ride is to promote public awareness of the “Move Over laws” while honoring fallen first responders killed on the roadside.

Over 100 first responders a year die on the side of the road, with tow truck drivers representing 60 percent of those killed, according to event organizers.

Nearly 71 percent of Americans do not know the law requires drivers to move over one lane, to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers, firefighters, ambulances, utility workers and, in some cases, tow-truck drivers, according to the National Safety Commission.

“We’ve known several towing companies whose drivers were killed on the side of the road,” Kelley said. “We’ve also had several close calls.”

The California Highway Patrol reported in August that several first responders were killed along the side of the road as they assisted motorists.

Former U.S. Marine and CHP motorcycle officer Kirk Griess, 46, was killed in a collision during a traffic stop in Fairfield, according to the CHP, who reported a civilian was also killed in the crash.

In a separate incident, a tow truck driver was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer as he attempted to re-enter his tow truck on Interstate 10 in Cabazon.

Last year, a tow truck driver assisting a disabled vehicle along State Route 52 in San Diego County was hit by a vehicle and died at the scene, the CHP reported.

In 2017, the casket was relayed through 140 cities. By the end of this year, it will have made stops in 300 cities, involving processions of 10,000 tow trucks, fire trucks, EMS and police vehicles.

Following the ceremony, Kelley’s Towing will now work to deliver the casket to Big Valley Towing in Las Vegas.

For more general information, inquiries on participating in the Spirit Ride or to view the live casket tracker map, visit www.atspiritride.com.